Recipes of the week: Budget Gourmet

As you can see by my menu for the week, I am trying to adhere to a tight budget by using many affordable items repeatedly throughout the week. The resulting meals are simple but offer something a little different than the common budget foods. As a side note, I remember when I was an undergrad I used to eat half of a can of spaghetti oh's and a grilled cheese sandwich every day. Good for the budget, not so much for the soul.

Here are some of the meals I've crafted this week (and a few from previous weeks that fit in with the theme).

Grilled Pb & J

I've been eating a LOT of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches lately. And why not? We know that PB is healthy and that the ingredients are affordable. But, as much as I really enjoy a good PB & J, it's easy to get sick of eating them repeatedly. So, here's a little tweak to the traditional favorite. My inspiration came from a newly opened, local cafe that serves fried PB &J sandwiches. I thought, I could do that.

2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread

Peanut Butter

Jelly of your choice (I use a strawberry rhubarb from my hometown of Dexter, Michigan. I stock up on it a few times a year)

Butter

Make this as you would make a grilled cheese sandwich. Spread butter on the outside of both pieces of bread. On the inside of the slices spread the PB & J. Grill over medium heat until side of bread is brown, flip and repeat on other side.

Now, you may be hesitant to try this, but I assure you it is wonderful! Not so much healthy, but wonderful.

Bean and Cheese Quesadillas and Pomegranate Guacamole

I made these last weekend for some friends as an alternative to ordering in. They were simple to make and tasty. Much like for PB & J sandwiches, the ingredients for quesadillas can be stretched out and used for multiple things. For instance, I could make a bean and cheese burrito (as I am planning to later this week).

1 Flour Tortilla

Refried Black Beans

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Butter

I've previously used chicken sauteed in taco seasoning as well

Cut one large tortilla in half and butter one side of each half. Spread refried black beans on half of each half tortilla. Lay butter side down in a warm skillet, sprinkle cheese over the beans and fold over the tortilla. Brown each side in the skillet over medium heat.



I cut each one in half again to make small slices of the quesadilla.

As for the guacamole...

1 Ripe Avocado

1/2 Clove Garlic

Pomegranate Seeds

Smash up the avocado and mix in minced or chopped garlic. Add pomegranate seeds to your liking.

The seeds offer little pockets of fruity goodness against the contrast of the heavy, yet delicious avocado.

Pasta with Sauteed Beets and Onions

This is pretty self explanatory. It's so easy and it provides a different take on the usual pasta. I heart beets and they add a nice flavor to the dish.

1 Small Can Beets, Sliced in to small pieces

1/2 Small Onion, Chopped

Olive Oil

Whole Wheat Pasta, Cooked

Grated Parmesan Cheese

Saute the beets and onion in olive oil. Throw over pasta and flavor with parmesan cheese.

Quinoa Casserole

I made this dish one day while trying to make use of food I had at home. It's rather tasty and super healthy (well, except for maybe the cheese).

1 Cup Unprepared Quinoa

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/4 Cup Frozen Peas

1/2 Small Onion, Chopped

1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs

Cumin, Celery Salt, Garlic Powder

Milk

Butter

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare the quinoa as directed. While still warm, stir in about a tablespoon of butter, a little bit of milk, as much cheese as your heart desires (but save a little for the topping), the onion and peas.

Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish (I use a small bread size dish).

Melt a tablespoon of butter and mix in the breadcrumbs and the cumin, celery salt and garlic powder to taste. Stir in some cheese and spread the mixture over the top of the quinoa mix in the dish.

Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the topping has become crisp and the cheese on top is melted.

Now you have 4 new recipes for budget friendly meals. When you see these come up on my weekly menu (and they will!) you will know what they are. Being broke doesn't have to mean eating ramen noodles or half a can of spaghetti oh's and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Food of the week: Bacon!

Food of the week: Bacon

You knew it was coming!

I once went on a date with a guy who said to me, “I think bacon should be its own food group. I mean, there are so many kinds, Canadian, turkey, pancetta…”. Unfortunately that was the only interesting thing he had to say that evening and alas, it was not meant to be. But, he sure made a great point about bacon!

If you eat meat, chances are you eat bacon. I’ve even heard of people who stopped eating meat, with the exception of bacon. What is it about this tasty portion of pig that lures so many people? The smell? The crisp, yet tender, texture? The savory flavor? Whatever it is, it’s delicious!!!!

(Side note: If you’re dating someone who is vegan, it is generally not a good idea to talk about how much you like bacon. They tend not to have the same affection for it.)


Benefits:

• It was hard to find any nutritional benefits of bacon. It has lots of protein, that’s for sure.
• Also, if you eat only a few slices, there are not that many calories (if you like a high calories from fat to calories ratio).
• Most of the benefits have to do with taste and comfort.

Drawbacks:

• Lots of fat, and not healthy fat like the avocado
• Sodium!
• Nitrites, found in bacon, are accused of possibly causing cancer.

Ways to eat bacon:

• Never underestimate the deliciousness of the traditional BLT. Throw in an avocado for a BLAT.
• I have 3 words for you – bacon, eggs and hashbrowns!!!!! Ooh, put it all on some toast and have a tasty sandwich!
• A bacon and apple sandwich (granny smith apples work best)
• This was recommended to me. I don’t so much eat seafood, but some of you may and I don’t want to exclude you – scallops wrapped in bacon. I was told this would make me want to eat seafood.
• See http://startcooking.com/blog/395/50-Ways-to-Use-Bacon for additional ideas.

Cooking tidbit:
My vegetarian roomie offered up this tip for cooking bacon that she found in a magazine. It may have had something to do with the strong bacon flavor that took over the apartment when I would pan-fry bacon. Whatever the reason, this method for cooking bacon is really great. Instead of pan-frying, lay slices of bacon on a cookie sheet and put in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes. No worries, there is still the essence of bacon in the room, but it is not quite as all-consuming as pan-frying. Also, you do not have to flip the bacon or worry about spitting oil when you use the oven method. *I would also like to send a thank you to my roomie for being tolerant when I cook bacon. I try to do it when she’s not home, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Thanks BG!*

Little know facts (a.k.a. some people take their love of bacon a little too far):
Bacon is so great, there are many blogs solely dedicated to it.
http://www.baconunwrapped.com/
http://www.iheartbacon.com/
http://baconshow.blogspot.com/
http://www.maganda.org/blog/index2.php

Bacon can double as clothing?

Why floss with a boring old string, when you can use bacon-flavored floss? Ewww!

Best bacon quote: "Bacon is sex in a skillet. It's the ultimate aphrodisiac for all living things. Except pigs, of course." Dan Philips of the Grateful Palate.

Last words: I try my best not to support the meatpacking industry for several reasons (locally produced meats are healthier, less tortuous for the animals and there’s less indecent treatment of factory workers). So, while I am a fan of bacon, I always try to buy it from local farmers. I ask of you too, to frequent your local farmer’s market, if possible (you can get lots of good produce there too). Support your local farmers!

***Remember this oldie? I feel like this could be a man as well as a dog.****

Recipe of the week: Mom's Ham, Egg & Cheese Bake

This is a yummy dish that my mother usually makes on holiday mornings. It's great if you love breakfast - which I do! This is some serious comfort food!!

Ham, Egg & Cheese Bake (can be made without the ham, so vegetarians will enjoy too)

12-15 slices of bread
8 slices of chopped ham
9 slices of cheese of choice (I enjoy a good cheddar)
6 eggs well beaten
3 1/2 cups milk
salt & pepper to taste
butter
optional: green peppers, onions, mushrooms

Butter bread on both sides and place 4-6 slices in a 9 x13 pan (fill in extra space with 1/4 or 1/2 slices).

Place ham and cheese (and any optional items) on the bread and cover with another layer of buttered bread.

Combine eggs, milk & seasoning; pour slowly over bread, making sure all the bread is soaked.

Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Bake uncovered 1 hour at 350 or until set.